led, headed 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division on outside, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, never on terms, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, soon lost place, behind final 2f, tailed off
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, soon every chance, ridden over 1f out, not quicken final furlong
pressed leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed inside final 2f, no impression when lost place inside final furlong, soon weakened
behind, ridden over 2f out, never a threat
mid-division on inside, chased leaders 3f out, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, weakened 1f out
held up mid-division, tracked leaders over 2f out, switched outside over 1f out, ridden and ran on well inside final furlong, led and drew readily clear final 75 yards
behind, headway under pressure on inside over 2f out, soon in touch, ridden over 1f out, no impression final furlong
mid-division, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression
tracked leaders, poised to challenge going well 3f out, led when shaken up inside final 2f, ridden inside final furlong, headed final 75 yards, not pace of winner
tracked leaders, effort 2f out, one pace over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to chase front pair inside final furlong, no impression
DARK LOCHNAGER (NAP), a dual winner on the Flat and rated 88, was well supported on his hurdles debut at Wetherby last month but got no further than the third. Compensation awaits here. Whiskey And Water found soft ground against him at Kelso in October having won on much quicker going at Market Rasen last summer while eleven-times winner Ted Veale is always capable of a big run having scored five times on the Flat in his younger days. Casimir Du Clos won twice over fences on testing ground late last year but Zabeel Star has plenty of experience on the surface and hasn't been running badly over timber.
Casimir Du Clos (FR) 6-5fav (11-2) 2nd until after 1st, tracked leaders, blundered and lost place 8th, well beaten from 3 out, tailed off, last of 5, dist behind Talkofgold (11-9) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Drums Of War (IRE) 14-1 (9-8) Held up in last trio, headway on outside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on to lead near finish, won at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) pol in Feb beating Nearly There (8-9) by nk, 8 ran.
George Gently (FR) 7-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, 37 3/4l behind Waterproof (10-7) at Fakenham 2m mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Imperial Focus (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, lost 2nd close home, 4th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Foresee (9-9) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Lostock Hall (IRE) 18-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, pushed along and every chance before 2 out, hard ridden approaching last, weakened flat, 7th of 13, 14 3/4l behind Ulterior Motives (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Ted Veale (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, hit 4th, ridden and headway last, stayed on to take 4th last strides, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 6 3/4l behind Gennady (11-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Tim Rocco (GER) 9-2 (11-12) Towards rear, effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out (3 hurdles in straight were omitted), 8th of 14, 21l behind Out On The Tear (11-13) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Feb.
Zabeel Star (IRE) 9-2jfav (10-13) In touch, driven to chase leaders before 3 out, one pace next, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, no impression, 6th of 13, 7 1/2l behind Bathsheba Bay (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Bravantina 100-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway after 6th, 4th when not fluent 3 out, went 3rd from last, no chance with winner, 3rd of 11, 29l behind Emmas Joy (11-6) at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Feb.
Winfola (FR) 7-2 (11-0) In touch, headway 2 out, ridden and every chance when fell next, at Musselburgh 2m (4) gs in Jan.
Dark Lochnagar (USA) 6-4fav (10-12) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd, fell next, at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Whiskey And Water 2-1fav (10-6) Mid-division, pushed along after 3rd, closed before next, not fluent 3 out, mistake next, no extra in 3rd before last, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Goldencard (11-5) at Kelso 2m hcp (4) sft in Oct.
